Career comparison
Electrical Drafter vs. Electrical Engineer
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Electrical engineers earn more at the median ($120,630 vs. $76,870), while electrical drafters usually get to work faster (2-year degree of training). Electrical drafters draw wiring diagrams and electrical plans for buildings and equipment. Electrical engineers design power systems, electronics and controls that run modern life.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Electrical Drafter | Electrical Engineer | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $76,870 ($36.96/hr) | $120,630 ($58.00/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $50,040 – $120,290 | $76,550 – $184,300 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | -3.4% (a projected decline) | +9.9% (much faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 1,400 | 11,400 |
| Typical entry education | Associate's degree | Bachelor's degree |
| Training time | 2-year degree | 4 years |
| Key credential | ADDA certification | Engineer in Training (EIT) |
| Work setting | Drafters work in engineering offices, often remotely.. | Electrical engineers work in offices, labs, plants and at project sites.. |
What each job does
Electrical Drafter
- Draw electrical plans
- Draw one-line diagrams
- Create panel schedules
- Draw control schematics
- Update drawings
Electrical Engineer
- Design electrical systems
- Develop circuits and electronics
- Calculate loads and specify equipment
- Create schematics and drawings
- Test and troubleshoot systems
How they’re similar
Both careers involve indoor work and high-pay. Both are part of the science, engineering & lab field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose electrical drafter if…
- I like technical drawing
- I’m detail-oriented
- I like electrical systems
Choose electrical engineer if…
- I love electricity and electronics
- I enjoy math and physics
- I want high pay
Still torn? Take the Electrical Drafter fit quiz and the Electrical Engineer fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, electrical drafter or electrical engineer?
Electrical Engineers earn more at the median: $120,630 versus $76,870 for electrical drafters, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Electrical Drafters typically train faster (2-year degree) than electrical engineers (4 years).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects electrical engineers to grow +9.9% from 2025–35, compared with -3.4% for electrical drafters.